The disclosure of the theft is a first for the Cuban state since Fidel Castro took power in 1959. In its statement, officials from the Council stated that the works were cut from their frames while in storage.

Most of the missing works were by Cuban artists, it said.

In years past, the Cuban state has stayed mum when museum pieces have been put on the market, raising suspicions that the sales had been officially approved in the face of hard economic times.

Julian Radcliffe, chairman of the London-based Art Loss Register, said he was in the process to contacting Cuban law enforcement and museum officials to offer help. The organization is the recognized leader in recovering stolen artworks.

“There are some governments who absolutely do report their stolen items,” Radcliffe said, “and there are some governments who do not report their items to anyone, ever.”

If Cuba decides to take Radcliffe up on his offer, it could bode well for the recovery of the works. Since it was established in 1991 the Art Loss Register has recovered some 2,000 pieces.

In Cuba’s case, some missing museum items in the past included works expropriated from families that went into exile after the 1959 revolution.